TACOMA, Wash. – A six-save effort by Linfield Wildcats goalkeeper Sarah Bailey fell short of taking down defending Northwest Conference champion Pacific Lutheran, as the No. 23 Lutes blanked Linfield 1-0 Sunday afternoon at East Field.
 
First Half
Pacific Lutheran rifled nine shots in the opening period. The Wildcats had a tough time maintaining pressure early on, managing no shots on goal through the contest's opening 45 minutes.
 
The Lutes came closest to scoring in the 40th minute when Leah Magee's attempt fired off the crossbar and back into play.
 
Second Half
PLU found the lone goal of the afternoon during the 51st minute of action after Kelsey Hathaway's header found the back of the net.
 
Michayla Sponsel and Emma Smith attempted a couple of shots in the 76th minute, only to see them smothered by PLU goalkeeper Natalie Robinson.
 
Top Wildcats
Smith led her side with two shots. The Wildcats tallied four shots on goal. Bailey finished with six saves on 12 Lutes' shots.
 
Leading Lutes
Magee tallied a game-high four shots. Robinson finished the afternoon with two saves. Machaela Gaddy recorded the lone assist.
 
What It Means
Linfield splits its opening two conference matches, falling to 1-1 in NWC competition. With the loss, the Wildcats fall to .500 at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran improves to 5-1 overall and finish the weekend 2-0 in conference matchups.
 
Next
The Wildcats return home on Saturday to take on the Willamette Bearcats at noon.